January 31,2017

Ethiopia fared poorly in Freedom House 2017 country report on freedom. The report marked Ethiopia as “not Free” with aggregate score of 12 out of 100 percentage.

Freedom House rated countries in a scale of 0 to 100 in their performances of freedom. While 0 percent scoreline implies “least free” , 100 score implies “most free.”

Many Ethiopians might find it puzzling to understand even the 12 percent score given the recent widespread crackdown under the state of emergency which restricted even social media activity.

According to local human rights organizations and opposition party numbers, more than one thousand Ethiopians were killed in the last one year. Tens of thousands of civilians arrested in many detention centers across the country.

Ethiopia is still under state of emergency.

To read Freedom House report, click here

The post Ethiopia rated “not free” in freedom House 2017 report appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Related posts:

Ethiopia : new communication minister – Negeri Lencho -says he is committed to press freedom Ethiopia : Free to protest, just a bit Two million people need emergency food aid in Ethiopia : report by UN body International Press Freedom Awards Zone 9 Bloggers, Ethiopia

Editor’s Note : The following is Freedom House 2017 report executive summary. The organization did not release full report at this point in time. It has stated,on its website, that it will do so as soon as the report becomes available.

Freedom House
January 31,2017

Ethiopia was wracked by protests throughout much of 2016, a result of widespread and growing discontent with ethnic and political marginalization and repressive rule by EPRDF. The largely peaceful protests were frequently put down violently by the security forces. The protests had begun over ethnic and land rights in November 2015 in the Oromia region, and intensified in 2016, with significant additional protests in Addis Ababa and the Amhara region.

In January, the government withdrew the contentious Addis Ababa Master Plan, which had been the rallying point for Oromo protesters who alleged that thousands of farmers would be displaced from their ancestral lands to make way for the capital’s expansion. However, the announcement did little to staunch larger discontent with the EPRDF, and demonstrations took on broader antigovernment dimensions and appealed to Ethiopians across ethnic lines. The protests were regularly met with excessive force by the police and the military, including the use of live ammunition and tear gas against crowds. Tens of thousands of people were detained in police sweeps, and reports of mistreatment, including beatings and torture while in custody, were widespread. Among those arrested or charged were leaders of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress, including party chairman Merera Gudina and deputy chairman Bekele Gerba. In October, the government admitted that more than 500 people had been killed in connection with the protests since November 2015, though some rights organizations reported that the true figure is at least 800.




In early October, the government announced a nationwide six-month state of emergency, enacting sweeping powers to deploy the military, restrict speech and the media, impose curfews and movement restrictions, and monitor communications. According to some estimates, nearly 24,000 Ethiopians were detained under the state of emergency, although about 10,000 were released in December. The demonstrations subsided in the wake of the emergency decree, but the government has taken little action to address the grievances of the protesters.

In September, the government pardoned some 700 prisoners in its annual gesture, including 135 Muslims who had been convicted on terrorism charges. However, key religious, ethnic, and political leaders, as well as at least 16 journalists, remained behind bars, and a number of new arrests occurred in 2016; countless other political dissidents are still facing terrorism charges in lengthy and ongoing trials.

Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea reached a boiling point in June, when the two militaries skirmished at the northern border town of Tsorona before returning to an uneasy peace.

The post Executive Summary of Freedom House 2017 report on Ethiopia appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Related posts:

Ethiopia rated “not free” in freedom House 2017 report Ethiopia Protest August 2016: Amid Internet Ban, Rally Against Government Leaves At Least 33 Dead Death Toll Rises to 140 in Ethiopia Protests Against Urban Expansion Deaths and detentions in Ethiopia as protests flare

borkena, Ethiopian News
February 2,2017

The following is a report from Rift Valley Institute regarding Ethiopia in 2016. It has identified the following key points in the report:

• Ethiopia’s reputation for predictable internal political order has been ended by a year of widespread grass-roots protests.
• Grievances specific to the Oromo and Amhara people and regions have converged into a youthful protest movement, which has, as yet, no clear political agenda or leadership.
• A State of Emergency has suspended constitutional government for a six-month period with a more pronounced role for security institutions that may be difficult to reverse.
• A reshuffled inclusive and technocratic cabinet has brought some political breathing space for the government but the underlying issues driving protest remain unaddressed.




Full PDF document is available A Year of Protests in Ethiopia – RVI Meeting Report (2016)

The post Report : A Year of Protests in Ethiopia appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena, Ethiopian News
February 3,2017

Government in Ethiopia said that it released 7,842 detainees,calls them “trainees”, who were detained in three makeshift concentration camps -military training camps under normal circumstances. This is for the second time in two months time. More than fifty thousand Ethiopians were detained following the declaration of the state of emergency.

The detainees were released from Tolay, Yirgalem and Birsheleko camps in Amhara and Oromia regional states.

They were detained after massive crackdown in the two regional states for taking part in a popular anti-government protest.

Authorities from Oromia regional state reported attended the ceremony before the release of the detainees which the government considered “graduation.” Detainees wear a “Never Again” captioned T-shirt.

What was the training about?

Government media reported that the detainees took over a month-long training on the current constitution,” color revolution and the situation in Ethiopia,” and “renaissance of Ethiopia” – a mobilizing propaganda which the government has been using for many years now.

The constitution theoretically grants citizens the right to freedom of expression including peaceful demonstration.

It is possible, however, to speak in absolute terms that the regime in power allows no peaceful demonstration if the motive of it is to oppose government. In the latest popular movement alone, well over 1000 civilians including women and children were killed.

It is to be recalled that detainees who were released last month spoke to DW Amharic and VOA Amharic service, on condition of anonymity, that they were subjected to mistreatment and torture in the course of their detention in the makeshift concentration camps.

The recent anti-government protest was fueled by opposition to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front domination over politics and the economy of Ethiopia and rampant corruption, among other things.

The post Ethiopia : 7,842 detainees released from makeshift concentration camps appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena, Ethiopian News
February 4,2017

Four government soldiers reportedly killed in Benshangul region of Ethiopia. Ethiopian Satellite Television cited a source from the region with whom ESAT spoke on the phone.

According to the source, the soldiers were killed when gunmen ambushed them in the gold mining locality, Sherkole. The report added that the attackers consider themselves as freedom fighters.

The number of soldiers killed in the attack is said to be four. Lieutenant Werawi Abreha and Halefom are among the four victims, according to ESAT Report.

There was similar incident in the region in recent past, after state of emergency was declared. So far government didn’t issue a statement about it.

Cover Photo : file

The post Government soldiers reportedly killed in Benshangul, Ethiopia appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 5,2017

Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise reportedly won tribunal case against a Swiss supplier, Agricom International SA.

Ethiopian Reporter,Addis Ababa based news provider with alleged close links to the group in government power in Ethiopia, cited what it called “credible source” to report that Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise is to get $14 million (US) from the Swiss supplier.




From the report, it seems that the case was filed after Agricom International SA breached contract signed with Grain Trade Enterprise sometime in 2011 to supply 500,000 tons of milling wheat.

The three-member tribunal passed the verdict in London,according to The Ethiopian Reporter. Agricom International SA has filed application for review of the decision.

Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise was represented by Addis Law Group ,LLP (ALG), added the report.

The post Ethiopian Grain Trade Enterprise won tribunal case against Swiss company appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 5,2017

Toronto- Former Derg government senior officials,who were imprisoned for over two decades and released recently, held discussion with prime minister Hailemariam Desalegne this past week, reported Wazema radio.

Focus of the discussion was on “sew le sew”, not to be confused with a German non-governmental organization operating in Ethiopia, association’s application for a piece of land in the capital for purpose of constructing a building to help members of the association, the report added. The association is chaired by Fikreselassie Wogderes,prime minister under military Derg government of colonel Mengistu Hailemariam and former member of Ethiopian Air Force.




However, Wazema says prime minister Hailemariam Desalagne discussed other issues of national importance with the former officials but he is said to have advised them not to release contents of the discussion for media consumption and said that he will make it public on his own when the time comes for it.

Wazema hinted that the former officials,with invitation from prime minister Hailemariam Desalenge, offered advise on current situation of the country and on the way forward. Colonel Fesseha Desta,published autobigraphy entitled “Abyotuna Tiztaye” – could translate to my memory of the revolution, is said to have commended the government in terms of infrastructure development but advised the government to work on national unity.

No other current government official was in attendance during the discussion between Prime minister Hailemariam Desalegne and former Derg officials, according to Wazema.

However, from the report, it is former Derg officials who lodged a request to meet with the current prime minster regarding their application for a plot of land in Addis Ababa for their “sew le sew” association. The prime minister responded positively within a short period of time and met with them. Fikreselassie Wogderes is, Wazema report added, said to be surprised with the positive response and well mannered reception from the prime minister’s office. Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne pledged to work on the matter in coordination with mayor of Addis Ababa City, Driba Kuma
_

Like us on facebook to get more updates regularly.

The post Ethiopia : Derg officials held discussion with Hailemariam Desalegne appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 6,2017

Toronto – The sixth congress of Tigray regional state removed seven judges for what is described as “ethical issues”, according to Fana Broadcasting report.




The report did not,however, have details as to what the ethical issues are.

One the other hand, the congress approved the appointment of a judge.

The regional state also approved reviewed draft law relating to mass media and science and technology, according to Fana report.

Administrative structure in Ethiopia is decentralized,essentially theoretically, on the basis of ethnicity. Tigray region is political base to TPLF – a dominant power in the ruling coalition, EPRDF, although it represents only about six percent of the total population of Ethiopia.

The post Tigray regional state removed seven judges appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Andrew Giambrone
Washington City Paper
February 6,2017

A D.C. resident born in Ethiopia is suing the cooperative association of an apartment complex near the U Street corridor for allegedly denying her housing on the basis of her national origin. She was pregnant with her second child and looking for larger accommodations at the time.

In a suit filed Friday in U.S. District Court for D.C., attorneys for Melikt Mengiste plan to argue that the cooperative association of 1901-07 15th St. NW and its president unlawfully discriminated against Mengiste in refusing to rent her an apartment there in 2015. According to the lawsuit, the cooperative association required Mengiste to “submit additional documentation” not required of other applicants—including verification forms from her employer and landlord—as part of her housing application, even after the complex’s management had “pre-approved” her that June. Though Mengiste complied, she was never contacted for a tenant interview, and was denied a unit in October without any explanation.

Continue to read on Washington City Paper

The post D.C. Ethiopian Woman Alleges Housing Discrimination at Building Near U Street Corridor appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena, Ethiopian News
February 7,2017

Ethiopian court sentenced six detained members of Ethiopian Air force from three to six years of prison terms, reported ESAT. They were accused of alleged attempt to defect to Eritrea to join rebel forces.

According to ESAT report, regime claimed that Lieutenant Masresha Sete, Lt. Biruk Atnaye, Lt. Daniel Girma, Lt. Gezahegn Dires, Tesfaye Eshete and Seifu Girma were caught in Gonder and Bahir Dar three years ago. They were charged for having,according to regime, links to armed opposition and that “the officers were caught in Bahir Dar and Gondar three years ago while heading to Eritrea to join Patriotic Ginbot 7, an armed group operating from Eritrea,” added the report by ESAT. The officers didn’t plead guilty.

It is to be recalled that members of Ethiopian Air force and ground force defected to Eritrea and other African countries on grounds of ethnic based discrimination and repression within the the army. The latest case of defection is from Agazi forces in Somalia under United Nations mission from where sergeant Hailemichael Bewuketu left to a third country.

Data gathered by researchers in the opposition quarter suggests that Tigray People Liberation Front controlled well over 95 percent of key senior military positions in the army. Wide spread protest in Ethiopia made headlines the world over for months last year.

The post Air force officers charged with alleged defection sentenced to prison terms appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 7,2017

When Ethiopian Airlines was established in 1945, nearly all of African countries were under colonial rule. Nelson Mandela wrote in his memoir that he was surprised to see a black pilot on board of Ethiopian Airlines to Ethiopia well before he was thrown to jail. At 72 years of age now, Ethiopian is flying nearly 100 destinations in Africa,Middle East,Europe,Asia,Australia and North America.

According to a report published today by Reuters, Ethiopian Airlines got record revenue in the 2015/16 fiscal year.

The numbers?

Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, is cited by Reuters as saying that revenue was up by 10.3 percent and total revenue is about 54.5 billion Ethiopian birr, which is the equivalent of US $2.43, in the 2015/16 year. Net profit is six billion Ethiopian birr.

Similarly, number of passenger reportedly increased by 18 percent. Ethiopian transported 7.6 million passengers.

Yet, there appear to be financial challenges that the airlines is experiencing in relation to hard currency supply in African countries which seem to be a barrier to repatriate sales to Ethiopia, added the report. For example, “…the airline had local currency holdings worth $220 million in Nigeria, Angola, Sudan, Egypt and some other states, but this was losing value as the local currency depreciated,…”

Is that it?

Certainly not. What is not reflected in the report is the financial standing of Ethiopian. The terminal it is using now at Bole international Airport was built with loan arrangement from Europe. It is not clear if it is paid off.

Moreover, this year alone, the airlines took additional loans from Africa Development Bank and a Chinese bank which is said to be nearly $500 million dollars. If the airline was in good financial standing, it is unlikely that it would borrow interest bearing money.

Management

Despite its reputation as best African carrier, Ethiopian airlines has its own struggle in terms of management as well. And it is a reflection of politics in the country. Some even go so far as describing the airlines as “Tigray airlines” to denote claim that ethic Tigraians are dominating the airlines.

The post Record revenue, says Ethiopian Airlines appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena Ethiopian News
February 8,2016

Toronto – Gambella regional state announced that it sacked nine senior level officials are sacked over what is said to be forged educational credentials, state media reported.

Apparently, and on surface, it is the region’s ethics and anti-corruption commission that identified the nine officials who are now sacked.

Umod Ujulu, the region’s head of ethics and anti-corruption, is cited by the state media, EBC, as saying the measure is taken as part of Gambella Democratic Movement “revival movement.”




It is to be recalled that the ruling party commenced rhetoric which is meant to be, from the point of view of government, a response to anti-government protest in most parts of Ethiopia.

Deputy auditor of the audit bureau, head of construction bureau, director of mass media freedom agency, social affair adviser of the region’s administration, regional administration adviser on infrastructure, head of Education bureau, health and women health affair unit coordinator, Gambella city administration women affair unit head, and transport and road development head are the nine officials that are sacked.

The report by state media added that the regional state disclosed that the officials will be held responsible legally which suggests that there is a possibility for them to be charged in a court.

Possible political motive?

No indication if the indictment of officials on alleged forgery of educational credential is motivated by politics in relation to resistance to Tigray People’s Liberation Front manipulation of regional government. However, forged educational credential has become not uncommon practice under the current government.

Most recently, the struggle between the two entities manifested itself in agricultural investment in the region. A group of investors from Tigray region, ethnic base of TPLF, complained about mistreatment by the regional administration. On the other hand, Development Bank of Ethiopia and commercial bank of Ethiopia disclosed that of the nearly 5 billion Ethiopian birr loan issued to agricultural investors, mostly from Tigray region, in Gambella region, well over four billion birr is wasted and spent for purposes not related to agricultural investment.

The region is one of the areas where there is serious political tension in Ethiopia. Recently, there was attack that claimed the lives of passengers in a public transport.

The post Regional Government officials sacked over allegedly forged educational credential appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena Ethiopian News
February 8,2017

Multau Teshome served as Ambassador of Ethiopia to Turkey for seven years between 2006 and 2013. Now president of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, when he arrived yesterday in Ankara for a five days official visit, he got a very warm reception at the palace with salutes from presidential honour guard in light blue uniform at the palace and a blue carpet was rolled out as well. (click here to watch the video) Rare reception by Erdogan at the palace.




Mulatu is a ceremonial president with very little, if at all, executive power in the federal government. The government in Ethiopia recently announced that Turkish schools in Ethiopia that are linked to the Gulen movement will be transferred to the government of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency reported that Mulatu is presented with a certificate of friendship from Ankara University “for his contributions to developing relations between Turkey and African states during his seven-year ambassadorship to Ankara.”

In fact, Turkey has a very strong economic and cultural presence in Ethiopia comparable to China- if it does not surpass that. China’s cultural presence is not as strong as that of Turkey.

Turkish investment in Ethiopia is worth billions of dollars. However, that aspect of presence is not without problems. Development Bank of Ethiopia, for example, announced auction to sell a factory in Nazret (Adama) owned by Turkish nationals who borrowed money from Ethiopian bank and disappeared without paying back their debts.

Turkey has links with Somalian government. Erdogan congratulated the newly elected president of Somalia.

The post Mulatu Teshome in Ankara,Turkey, for a five day visit appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena Ethiopian News
February 9,2017

Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency Director resigned. It is the minister of Ministry of Health that disclosed the resignation of Ato Meskele Lera, as reported by government newspaper Addis Zemen. The agency has been under fire for alleged overspending.




The was a report in early January 2017 regarding question during parliamentary session related to overspending by the agency.

It appears that the minister already proposed nomination of new director and it is prime minister Hailemariam Desalegne who is supposed to approve the nomination,according to the report.

The agency purchased 12 billion Birr worth of medicines and medical products in three years between 2012 and 2015. Claim is that the way the purchases were made were vulnerable to corruption.

The post Pharmaceuticals Fund and Supply Agency Director resigned appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Editorial
borkena Ethiopian News
February 10,2017

Genebe Dibaba’s celebration of her spectacular performance at Sabadell, Spain, in which she clocked new world record time in 2000 meters indoor generated political controversy among Ethiopians in social media. Her victory was forgotten in a matter of hours as criticizing Genzebe took primacy. She is blamed for not using the historic Ethiopian flag, which is banned by Tigray People’s Liberation Front government, for her celebration. Last month, Workenesh Degefa, who claimed women’s title at the Dubai Marathon was in the same situation. She did not use Ethiopian flag either; for similar reasons. And, yes, she was blamed for it.

In both instances, Ethiopian video publishers affiliated with the regime in Ethiopia seized the opportunity, in a celebratory mood, to make a point, apparently, that the flag belongs to the opposition and that it is losing ground, which is not the case obviously. In the video released by DireTube, both athletes are shown picking the flag and then drop it when they recognize that it is the flag that is banned by TPLF government. On the part of the athletes, not using the historic and popular flag is not a matter of choice. The only context that it is a matter of choice is that it essentially comes down to whether they wish to return to Ethiopia or not, a decision perhaps with undesirable implication for their running carrier and their families,too . Maybe they are not ready to leave Ethiopia and their family. Their choice to use TPLF introduced flag rather than the historic Ethiopian flag need to be seen within the context of that political reality in Ethiopia.

Astute Ethiopian activists theorized that the athletes’ celebration in Dubai and Sabadell was set up in a way to capture their reaction. Not proven. But it is possible. TPLF is known for all sorts of political tricks to fatten division, which is a means to an end, maintaining power, for TPLF.

That said, I must say that the whole issue surrounding the Ethiopian flag clearly shows lack of foresight and political wisdom on the part of TPLF. During the widespread popular protest in Gonder and Gojjam, Ethiopians clearly demonstrated despise and defiance for TPLF created Ethiopian flag when they openly and fearlessly hoisted and venerated the historic Ethiopian flag. TPLF didn’t have option then but to tolerate it as it had to buy time to crackdown the anti-government protest. But its reaction was totally different once it declared the state of emergency in October 2016 and mounted crackdown on protesters to detain more than 50,000 Ethiopians in a makeshift detention centers.

Did that change the flag issue for good? Not really. Sill Ethiopians revert to the historic flag whenever they get a chance. This was evident during the last Timkat celebration in Addis Ababa and other parts of Ethiopia. Given the detest to the history of Ethiopia, TPLF’s intransigence not to loosen on its radical stand against Ethiopian values including veneration to the flag is understandable. On the flip side of it, it represents lack of TPLF political wisdom and foresight. No illusion that the regime is living legitimacy crisis the likes of which is unprecedented. Even at a time when it is talking about negotiation with the opposition parties in the country, it is not thinking in terms of some serious compromises- apparently because it is overrating its military power.

Externally, political developments in the region are evolving in a way that would pose threat to TPLF’s power. Forget Eritrea. Somalia is evolving in a way not to be manipulated by TPLF any longer and there are powers that seem to have vested interest in that for cultural or other reasons- in fact some of them pretend to appear as a friend to the TPLF regime. TPLF’s relation with South Sudan is not in the best of shape although it is not admitted. Overseas based Oromo radical ethno-nationalists, once nurtured by TPLF as allies, will exploit and be exploited by entities that have hostile interest and enmity to Ethiopia. No question about that.

There is no better time for TPLF to rethink about the dangers that its divisive policy pose to the very existence of Ethiopia. It is a question if it will realize that anything that unites Ethiopia is an opportunity, not liability, even if it means that it loses power. It is not realistic to think that Tigray will be an Island of stability and peace if Ethiopia is mired in some sort of political chaos. That is why it needs to rethink so many of its prejudices and hate about Ethiopia and Ethiopian values. For example, what is it that TPLF government will lose if it revokes legislation introduced to ban the use of historic Ethiopian flag?

Editor
Dimetros
Twitter : @dimetros Follow borkena :@zborkena

The post Demonize not Ethiopian athletes for the flag appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Ethiopian News,borkena
February 10,2017

It’s like Donald Trump is being exploited for fake news and rumors. Apparently,there was a rumor that visa quota to Ethiopia and other African countries is introduced under the new administration.

The information was in circulation, it appears, after President Trump’s executive order to ban travelers from seven countries (Syria, Iraq,Yemen,Libya,Sudan,Yemen and Somalia) not to enter the U.S.

As it turns out, it seems to be the case that the circulating information is rather misinformation.

U.S embassy in Addis Ababa told Fana Broadcasting corporation,as per its report, that Washington has no new visa policy in place that reduces number of visas to be issued to Ethiopians or to travelers from African countries other than those that are under travel ban.

Any Ethiopian with valid US visa could enter the country without any problem.

Changes to the visa program

The only change that seem to be in effect regarding visa is for those whose visa is expired, according to Fana’s report which cited the US embassy.

There was a regulation in place for visa holder to get renewed visa via mail if more than four years is not lapsed since the expiration of their visa. That is not longer the case.

Visa holders whose visa is expired for more than one year will be considered like new visa applicants and have to go thorough the process like new applicants.

The only exception to this new regulation,based Fana Broadcasting report published earlier today,in Amharic, are seniors over 79 years of age and minors under 14 years of age.

borkena has not verified the information with US embassy. Should you need more information, consult US embassy Website.

The post No reduced visa quota for Ethiopia under Donald Trump appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 12,2017

Cabinet ministers who were removed from their ministerial portfolio as a kind of political response to anti-government protest in Ethiopia are appointed as ambassadors. Conceivably, the “appointment” may not sound so for them.

Redwan Hussien served has a Minister of Government Communication Affairs and then was made Minister of Youth and Sports when there was major reshuffle -only about a year or so ago. Now, he is no longer minister but appointed as Ambassador of Ethiopia to Ireland.

Zebebu Tadesse, made headlines a few years ago, over her remark on same sex marriage about Uganda which infuriated Ethiopians, who served as Minister of Women, Children and Youth Affairs is appointed as Ambassador of Ethiopia to Italy.

Tsegaye Berhe, served as security advisor to Prime minister Hailemariam Desalegne, is appointed ambassador to Israel. He is the kind of politicians whom observers rate as one of the top TPLF leadership.

Four other ambassadorial appointments are made to African countries, namely; Côte d’Ivoire (Girma Temesgen), Egypt (Taye Atsekeselassie), Ghana (Regassa Kefalew) and Uganda (Tolosa Shagi)
As well, Abdulaziz Ahmed is appointed as Ambassador to Kuwait.

Ethiopia’s relation with Egypt is strained over alleged Egyptian support to radical Oromo ethno-nationalist groups – which is believed to be triggered by hydro-politics of the Nile river.

__
Like us on Facebook to get news update regularly. Follow us on Twitter : @zborkena

The post Removed cabinet ministers appointed as Ambassadors appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 12,2017

Toronto – At least eleven Anbessa buses are reduced to nothing due to fire accident in Jemo, Lafto district of Addis Ababa, where the organization’s garage is located, according to a report by state affiliated media in Ethiopia.

Buses with maintenance and service needs are parked in the garage. Government authorities did not disclose causes of the fire at this writing except undetailed statement that the incident is under investigation.

Total property damage, including the busses, is said to be worth 46 million Ethiopian birr.
More than five hundred busses were parked in the garage during the accident.
Now named Anbessa City Bus Service Enterprise, it has served Addis Ababa for more than seventy years.

Recurring problem

Fire accident has become common since a few months before declaration of state of emergency following widespread anti-government protest mainly in Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia.

In December of 2016, there were three fire incidents in the capital at the same time. Qilinto Prison , Jimma Prison in South Western Ethiopia, Debre Tabor prison in North Western Ethiopia. An entire market place in the town of Gonder, anti-government protest was strong, was totally burned a little before the state of emergency.

In January 2015, Ethiopia’s first historic hotel, Taytu, in the heart of the capital, was burned, in what appeared to be a politically motivated arson. The list is long.

Something to do with the political situation in the country?

Based on recent experience, it is possible that the Anbessa bus fire incident could be a case of arson. Government of Ethiopia claims that the state of emergency restored “peace and stability” – apparently, a belief that is informed by uneasy silence on the surface. However, just two days ago, Deutsche Welle reported that political unrest is simmering. There is no indication if government is ready to end it any time soon.

_____

Follow us on Twitter : @zborkena
Like us on Facebook to get updates regularly.

The post Millions in financial losses for Addis Ababa city Anbessa bus as fire blazed garage appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

Borkena,Ethiopian News
February 13,2017

Gebru Mersha, notable scholar of Marxist political conviction, passed away in Addis Ababa, this week. He served as a professor of political science at Addis Ababa University for decades.

A student leader during the movement against the Imperial government of of Emeror Haileselassie, he later became a member of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party and was in the wilderness for armed guerrilla struggle.

When it became apparent that the armed struggle was not in the best of shapes and the movement got weakened, wrote one of his former student,Mesfin Aman, he had to go to Sudan and then to Europe, where he studied political science and got his PhD.

He returned to Ethiopia after the fall of the military government.

His students remember him as a man of integrity committed to the culture of discussion and a staunch Marxist even after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The post Notable Ethiopian scholar ,Gebru Mersha, passed away appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.

borkena,Ethiopian News
February 14,2017

Donald Trump has singed quite a number of executive orders in a number of policy areas. One of them is on matters relating to lobbying. The presidential order banned employees of executive branch not to involve in lobbying for five years after the termination of their employment.

And the regime in Ethiopia seem to have issues that it want to pursue with Donald Trump administration that could not,perhaps, bear fruit without Lobbying. It already hired a U.S based firm, S.G.R LLC lobbyingat a cost of US $1.8 million a year.

The firm describes itself as “bipartisan pro-business firm” that will,among other things, “access all of Washington’s pressure points.” Regime in Ethiopia tasked it to lobby the Trump administration so as to obtain results from policy makers that would align with its the interest.

According to Memorandum of Understanding signed between S.G.R and TPLF led government in Ethiopia,apparently it is the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington that signed the agreement on behalf of the government in Ethiopia, the lobby firm is “to promote a better understanding of Ethiopia’s political, social and economic environment. SGR will work to strengthen U.S.- Ethiopia business outreach and grow foreign direct investment in Ethiopia,” as cited by Ethiopian Satellite Television, US based Ethiopian Community Television network. An estimated half million Ethiopians live in the United States – which is significant in terms of votes.

How does the lobby firm form a favorable clouds of thought in the White House to effect what the regime in Ethiopia wants ? It “Drive a narrative to decision makers from Capitol Hill to the White House and with the media that influences them.”

Regime in Ethiopia has a record of egregious human right abuses. Since, just to cite a recent example, a little over a year, the regime reportedly killed more than one thousand civilians following anti-government protest across the country. A state of emergency is declared in October 2016 which is still in effect. In its report this year, Freedom House rated Ethiopia as “not free.” Human Rights Organizations have issued numerous reports condemning killings in Ethiopia. The State Department itself issued statements in 2016 condemning killings and human rights abuse.

Economically, the country is running into a crisis like situation with severe famine in the South Eastern parts of Ethiopia. The government called on the world to help save lives. United Nations secretary, Antonio Guterres, called upon the world to help save the lives of millions of Ethiopians who are facing a famine.

Corruption is at unprecedented level to the extent of crippling the way the government is functioning and it has admitted about it. Despite all that, “double digit economic growth” narrative was dominating mainstream media outlets in the west.

It remains to be seen as to what kind of narrative S.G.R LLC will produce to influence favorable policy in The White House towards Ethiopia.

Written by Dimetros Birku. Can be reached on twitter : @dimetros
Follow borkena on twitter : @zborkena
Click here to like us on Facebook

The post As Trump signs executive order on lobbying, government in Ethiopia hired lobby firm in the US appeared first on Borkena Ethiopian News.